Title This: Impact Wrestling Reaction 2-21-13

The Main Events

Samoa Joe and Garrett Bischoff fought to disqualification when Wes Bricso came out and attacked Joe. The match was drawn up perfectly for a young guy like Bischoff. We all know he is very weak in the ring, still raw with not much essence to him. He runs around and then kicks and beats down a much stronger and faster opponent in Joe. Joe finaly gets his hands on Garrett, as he connects with some suplexes and boots. Wes comes out and attacks, until Kurt Angle makes the save. Lockdown will feature Angle vs. Brisco.

-This is an excellent opportunity for Wes Brisco, who is viewed as part of TNA's future. With his lineage and his work ethic, this could be a show stealer type of match at Lockdown. Anyone who fights with Kurt will learn so much in such a short time span. His veteran leadership will be shown in the ring, as well as his focus on details. Angle rarely messes up, and does not let the other drag him down. Wes is certainly ready for a big opportunity like this, and this excited me tonight. Well done by keeping them separate, all the while with Aces and Eights focusing on just two situations.

Grade: B+

D.O.C, Devon, and Ken Anderson defeated Sting and Bully Ray. Earlier in the night, Hulk Hogan announced Bully Ray as the Number One Contender to the World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy. He then said that he will be next to Bully and Sting to make a 6 man match later tonight. Hulk's music plays, but he does not come out. The Aces and Eights attack the faces, but Sting and Ray finally come back and take the offensive. Bully Ray is a great physical wrestler, with enough speed and timing to really show you how far he has come in the past few years. He has finally developed a character that you can love and hate at the same time. Ray and Sting fight off the Aces and Eights until we see Brooke and Hulk held hostage. Bully Ray flees the ring to help them, which allowed DOC to hit a big boot on Sting and pick up the victory for his team.

-Do we really care this much about a group of guys that have not won a big match in quite some time? Aces and Eights continue to flutter, and I am more interested in the other storyline involving them. This one has Hulk, who cannot wrestle and have a payoff. Hulk needs to step aside and let the wrestlers tell the story, carry the feud, and make great moments.

My last gripe is the fact that the TNA Champion has not been seen in a while. I understand why, but this is unacceptable, especially with 4 weeks not seeing him. I cannot fathom what WWE fans would say if The Rock was champion and not on TV for a month. Nonetheless, he misses a few for GOOD reasons, while TNA makes Hardy a champion knowing that he cannot travel with them. It makes no sense whatsoever. Have him drop the title for a month, let him rest, and then come back harder and faster than ever. Ridiculous.